Needle cap

Abstract

A needle cap having a generally elongate configuration with an elongate channel extending axially therein to receive and hold a needle of a syringe by transverse movement of the needle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cap. A channel is closed at one end to protect the point of the needle when engaged with a cap and the opposite end is open. The needle has an integral base for engaging the needle to the syringe and the integral base mates with a recess in the channel such that the needle is releasably retained in a first position and fixedly retained in a second position.

I claim: 
     
       1. A needle cap of generally elongate configuration having an elongate channel therein receiving and holding a needle of a syringe by transverse movement of said needle relative to an elongate axis of said cap; said channel having one closed end protecting a point of said needle when engaged with said cap, and an opposite open end;   said needle having an integral base adapted to be engaged with said syringe and said channel is arranged to releasably retain said needle and said base in a first position within said channel, and fixedly retain said needle and base in a second position within said channel;   said base of said needle is releasably retained or fixedly retained in said channel by locking means provided within said channel;   said locking means includes a cavity provided in said channel adjacent said open end, said cavity having curved inner walls shaped to receive said needle base;   wherein said locking means further includes at least one protuberance extending inwardly from side walls of said channel in and adjacent said cavity wherein a or each protuberance is arranged to releasably retain said needle base in said cavity in said first position and fixedly retain said needle base in said cavity in said second position in cooperation with at least one radial protuberance formed on said needle base.   
     
     
       2. A needle cap as defined in claim 1 wherein each side wall of said channel has an inwardly and downwardly sloping face extending from an upper edge, which faces define an elongate gutter between respective lower edges. 
     
     
       3. A needle cap as defined in claim 2 wherein said locking means includes a cavity provided in said channel adjacent said open end and said gutter extends part way through said channel from said cavity to a point adjacent a shielding means, said gutter being parallel to said side walls and arranged to receive said needle. 
     
     
       4. A hypodermic assembly comprising a hypodermic needle for a syringe and a needle cap; said needle having an integral base adapted to be engaged with said syringe, said base having at least one radial protuberance formed thereon;   said cap further comprising:   a generally elongate configuration with a elongate channel therein adapted to receive and hold said needle by transverse movement of said needle relative to a longitudinal axis of said cap, said channel having a closed end and an opposite open end;   locking means comprising a cavity formed in said channel adjacent said open end, with curved inner walls shaped to receive said base and having at least one protuberance extending inwardly from side walls of said channel in and adjacent said cavity and cooperating with said at least one radial protuberance formed on said base to releasably retain said needle in a first position within said channel and fixedly retain said needle in a second position within said channel; and   shielding means integral with said channel to receive and cover a tip of said needle when said needle is in said second position.   
     
     
       5. A hypodermic assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said shielding means includes a cover extending over said closed end of said channel for receiving and covering said tip of said needle. 
     
     
       6. A hypodermic assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein each side wall of said channel has an inwardly and downwardly sloping face extending from its upper edge, which faces define an elongate gutter between their respective lower edges. 
     
     
       7. A hypodermic assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said gutter extends part way through said channel from said cavity to a point adjacent said shielding means, said gutter being parallel to said side walls and arranged to receive said needle.